Sportswear

ABSTRACT

Sportswear ( 10 ) that is worn with a tight fit to the surface of a wearer and that includes a stretch base fabric ( 1 ) and partially a non-stretch or low-stretch material, wherein the non-stretch or low-stretch material is arranged separately in a region A ( 2   a,    2   b ) that covers at least the back of the waist, a region B ( 3   a,    3   b ) that includes rounded portions of both hips and a region C ( 4   a,    4   b ) that includes the back of the thighs, and the non-stretch or low-stretch material reinforces tension in a direction of extension of the hip joints, whereby it is possible to provide sportswear that suppresses the bending of the lower body with respect to the upper body, has a function of smoothing protruding body parts and satisfies a function of high mobility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sportswear that is worn with asubstantially tight fit to the surface of a wearer.

2. Description of Related Art

Swimsuits with low water resistance are required for competitiveswimming. Water resistance can be divided into fluid friction resistancebetween water flowing along the body surface and the body or swimsuit,and shape resistance that depends on the body shape. Conventionalswimsuits have been designed focusing on reducing the frictionresistance of the material (see, for example, Japanese Patent No.2715088, JP 2004-292962A, WO 2007/142232), but nothing has been done toreduce the shape resistance, which accounts for a high percentage of thewater resistance.

In order to reduce the shape resistance, it is required to flattenprotruding body parts, such as hips and women's breast curves, to thehighest degree possible. Also, bending of the lower body with respect tothe upper body, which is observed particularly at the time of fatigue,is considered to be a cause of increasing the shape resistance duringcompetitive swimming motions. All of these increase the projected areaof the body as viewed from the direction of travel of the body,resulting in an increase in the shape resistance. Accordingly, in orderto reduce the shape resistance, it is desirable to flatten body curvesand suppress bending of the lower body. In order to suppress the bendingof the lower body, a design is needed in which tension is appliedprimarily in the direction of extension of the hip joints. In order toachieve this, conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which astrong compression material and a weak compression material are used soas to apply tension in the direction of extension of the hip joints. Inaddition, a pair of leggings for track and field use has been proposedthat supports a movement to kick the ground, or in other words, theextension movement of the hip joints by covering the hips with a planar,strong compression material (JP 2005-146450A). However, theseconventional techniques are insufficient to suppress the bending of thelower body with respect to the upper body and satisfy both a function ofsmoothing protruding body parts and a function of high mobility.

In order to solve the problems encountered with such conventionaltechniques, the present invention provides sportswear that suppressesthe bending of the lower body with respect to the upper body and thathas a function of smoothing protruding body parts while satisfying afunction of high mobility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Sportswear of the present invention is sportswear that is worn with atight fit to the surface of a wearer and that includes a stretch basefabric and partially a non-stretch or low-stretch material, wherein thenon-stretch or low-stretch material is separately arranged in a region Athat covers at least the back of the waist, a region B that includesrounded portions of the hips, and a region C that includes the back ofthe thighs, and the non-stretch or low-stretch material reinforcestension in a direction of extension of the hip joints.

Because sportswear of the present invention includes a stretch basefabric and partially a non-stretch or low-stretch material, wherein thenon-stretch or low-stretch material is arranged separately in a region Athat covers at least the back of the waist, a region B that includesrounded portions of the hips, and a region C that includes the back ofthe thighs to reinforce tension in a direction of extension of the hipjoints, it is possible to exert a function of lifting up the back of thethighs from the buttocks, suppress the bending of the lower body withrespect to the upper body, and provide a function of smoothingprotruding body parts while satisfying a function of high mobility.

That is to say, by arranging a non-stretch or low-stretch materialseparately in the regions A to C, the tension in the direction ofextension of the hip joints can be reinforced, a function of lifting upthe back of the thighs from the buttocks can be exerted, and the bendingof the lower body with respect to the upper body can be suppressed. Inaddition, even when tension is applied to the non-stretch or low-stretchmaterial by a movement, because the material itself stretches little ornot at all, the tension applied to the non-stretch or low-stretchmaterial regions acts as a force in the direction of the skin,compressing protruding body parts. The regions A to C are portions wherethe muscles rise, and by arranging a non-stretch or low-stretch materialin these portions, a function of smoothing protruding body parts can beprovided. The regions B and C, in particular, are portions in whichthere are muscles that contribute to the extension of the hip jointssuch as the gluteus maximus and the hamstring muscles, and bycompressing these regions, the intramuscular pressure is increased,effectively causing a muscular force to be exerted in the direction ofextension of the hip joints. As a result, it is possible to provide afunction of lifting up the back of the thighs from the buttocks,suppress the bending of the lower body with respect to the upper body,and provide a function of smoothing protruding body parts whilesatisfying a function of high mobility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a pair of half leggings for swimmingaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a rear view of the half leggings shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a pair of half leggings for swimmingaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a rear view of the half leggings shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a pair of half leggings for swimmingaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a rear view of the half leggings shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a pair of half leggings for swimmingaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a rear view of the half leggings shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a diagram used to illustrate a direction in which the musclefibers of the gluteus maximus of a human body run.

FIG. 6 is a diagram used to illustrate a direction of stretch of a pairof half leggings for swimming according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram used to illustrate a direction of stretch of a pairof half leggings for swimming according to a comparative example.

FIG. 8A is a front view of a one-piece type swimsuit according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a rear view of the swimsuit shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a front view of a one-piece type swimsuit according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a rear view of the swimsuit shown in FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Sportswear of the present invention includes a stretch base fabric andpartially a non-stretch or low-stretch material, the non-stretch orlow-stretch material is separately arranged in a region A that covers atleast the back of the waist, a region B that includes rounded portionsof the hips, and a region C that includes the back of the thighs, andthe stretch base fabric is arranged in the regions between the regions Aand B and between the regions B and C and other regions, whereby tensionin the direction of extension of the hip joints is reinforced.

The non-stretch or low-stretch material can be a woven fabric made usinga non-elastic yarn. Examples include fabrics made using a polyester(polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate,polybutylene terephthalate, etc.) fiber yarn, a polyamide fiber yarn, anacetate fiber yarn, a cotton fiber yarn, a rayon fiber yarn, an ethylenevinyl alcohol fiber yarn, and so on. Among them, it is preferable to usea polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber yarn as it is thermoplastic andhydrophobic and has good heat setting properties. Examples of wovenfabrics include a plain weave, a twill weave, a sateen weave, a plainderivative weave, a twill derivative weave, a sateen derivative weave, aderivative weave, a brocade, a half double weave, a double structure, amulti structure, a warp pile weave, a weft pile weave, a leno weave, andso on. Among them, for sports use, a plain weave fabric excels intexture, strength and the like. Usually, a woven fabric is made of warpyarns and weft yarns. Accordingly, when a rigid yarn such as a polyesterfiber yarn is used, the resulting fabric stretches little in both warpand weft directions.

Another example of the non-stretch or low-stretch material is a knittedfabric made using a non-elastic yarn. Examples of knitted fabricsinclude a circular knit, a weft knit, a warp knit, a pile knit, andfurther include a plain knit, a jersey knit, a rib knit, a smooth knitinterlock knit), a rubber knit, a pearl knit, a dembigh stitchstructure, a cord structure, an atlas structure, a chain structure, aninlay structure, and so on. Basically, a knitted fabric is formed ofloops. Accordingly, when a stress is applied onto a knitted fabric madeusing a rigid yarn such as a polyester fiber yarn, the loops deform andthe fabric stretches out. However, such a change in size is very small,so knitted fabrics as listed above also are included in the non-stretchor low-stretch material.

Still another example of the non-stretch or low-stretch material is asheet obtained by impregnating a woven fabric or knitted fabric with anelastomer resin or rubber, or a sheet obtained by attaching an elastomerresin or rubber onto a woven fabric or knitted fabric. It is alsopossible to impregnate a stretch base fabric with an elastomer resin orrubber, or attach an elastomer resin or rubber onto a stretch basefabric. Examples of elastomer resins include a urethane-based elastomer,a soft vinyl chloride-based elastomer, a styrene-based elastomer, anolefin-based elastomer, an ester-based elastomer, an amide-basedelastomer, a chlorinated polyethylene-based elastomer, aSyn-1,2-polybutadiene-based elastomer, a Trans-1,4-polyisoprene-basedelastomer, a fluorine-based elastomer, and so on. These resins can befound in “Plastic Data Book” published by Kogyo Chosakai Publishing Co.,Ltd, Dec. 1, 1999, pp 854 to 910. Examples of rubbers include a siliconerubber, a fluorine rubber, a urethane rubber, a synthetic rubber, anatural rubber, and so on.

A non-stretch or low-stretch material may be arranged around thenon-stretch or low-stretch material regions stepwise or with a gradient.It is preferable that the non-stretch or low-stretch material arrangedstepwise or with a gradient has a circular shape, an elliptical shape, arounded polygonal shape, or a linear shape.

The non-stretch or low-stretch material may be sewn to the stretch basefabric. To this end, it is possible to use a cut-and-stitch method, thatis, a method in which a hole is made in a fabric, and another fabric issewn onto the fabric, or a method in which another fabric is sewn ontothe stretch base fabric. Alternatively, a sheet impregnated with anelastomer resin or rubber, or a sheet to which an elastomer resin orrubber is attached further may be sewn to the stretch base fabric.

Still another example of the non-stretch or low-stretch material isembroidery worked on the stretch base fabric using a non-elastic yarn.The non-elastic yarn can be, for example, polyester (polyethyleneterephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polybutyleneterephthalate, etc.) fiber yarn, a polyamide fiber yarn, an acetatefiber yarn, a cotton fiber yarn, a rayon fiber yarn, an ethylene vinylalcohol fiber yarn or the like. Among them, it is preferable to use apolyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber yarn as it is thermoplastic andhydrophobic and has good heat setting properties.

It is preferable that the non-stretch or low-stretch material has anelongation factor under a load of 4.9 N (500 gf) measured in accordancewith Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) 1096 of 0% or more and lessthan 10% in the longitudinal direction of the body, whereby the effectof reinforcing the back of the thighs from the buttocks of the humanbody can be further enhanced.

The non-stretch or low-stretch material preferably has a weight per unitarea of 100 to 400 g/m². As long as the weight per unit area fallswithin this range, a suitable appearance and high wearability can beobtained without a heavy feeling and the problem of being see-through.

In addition, in the present invention, it is also preferable to arrangethe non-stretch or low-stretch material in a continuous region C″ thatcovers the inner thighs in addition to the back of the thighs, wherebythe function of lifting up the back of the thighs from the buttocks canbe further enhanced. Furthermore, by covering the hip adductor muscles,it is possible to suppress the increase of the shape resistance causedby abducting the hip joints.

Furthermore, in the present invention, it is also preferable to arrangethe non-stretch or low-stretch material in a continuous region C″ thatcovers the back of the thighs and also encircles the thighs, whereby thefunction of lifting up the back of the thighs from the buttocks can beenhanced, and the curves of the thighs can be reduced as well, therebyreducing water resistance.

In the present invention, it is also preferable to arrange thenon-stretch or low-stretch material separately in a region D that coversthe quadriceps femoris muscles, whereby the curves of the thighs can bereduced, thereby reducing water resistance.

It is preferable that a dividing portion between the region A and theregion B has a truncated V shape as viewed vertically from the backside, whereby the function of lilting up the back of the thighs from thebuttocks can be further enhanced, and a function of not impeding themovement of the human body can be obtained.

It is preferable that a dividing portion between the region B and theregion C has an inverted truncated V shape or a shape with a recess inthe center thereof as viewed vertically from the back side. As describedabove, the function of lifting up the back of the thighs from thebuttocks can be further enhanced.

The stretch base fabric used in the present invention is preferably aone-way or two-way woven or knitted fabric that is formed of a yarn thatincludes an elastic yarn. The elastic yarn is preferably at least oneselected from a polyurethane-based elastic yarn and a polyester-basedelastic yarn as they are highly stretchable and suitable for sportsgarments. The elastic yarn may be a bare yarn (uncovered yarn) which maybe paralleled with a non-elastic yarn (rigid yarn) when used, or acovered yarn whose surface is covered with a polyester fiber or a nylonfiber.

It is preferable that the stretch base fabric is a fabric (woven orknitted fabric) that has an elongation factor under a load of 4.9 N (500gf) measured in accordance with JIS 1096 of 10% or more in thelongitudinal direction of the body. As long as the elongation factorfalls within this range, a fabric that is capable of following themovements of the body and that has high wearability is obtained.Particularly, it is preferable that the stretch material arranged in thedividing portions between the regions A and B, between the regions B andC and between regions C and D is an easy-to-stretch material. This is tokeep balance because the regions A to D are made of adifficult-to-stretch material. It is preferable that the stretch basefabric has a weight per unit area of 100 to 400 g/m². As long as theweight per unit area falls within this range, a suitable appearance andhigh wearability can be obtained without a heavy feeling and the problemof being see-through.

In the present invention, in order to achieve a “substantially tightfit”, sportswear in which the circumference direction has 50% or moreand 110% or less with respect to the size of a naked human body, morepreferably 70% or more and 95% or less, and the length has 75% or moreand 100% or less with respect to the same, more preferably 85% or moreand 100% or less is formed. Needless to say, these ratios are merely arough guide because the human body size differs from person to person.More specifically, the size is determined in accordance with thestandard defined by Association of Japan Sporting Goods Industries(JASPO).

The sportswear is suitable as leggings for sports use, specifically, ashalf leggings and long leggings. The sportswear may be of one-piece typethat covers the upper body such as a half suit, a long suit or a fullsuit.

In the present invention, a V-shaped or U-shaped non-stretch orlow-stretch material further may be arranged in a shin portion forreinforcement, whereby it is possible to prevent the knees from bendingwhile swimming and maintain a flat streamline.

In the one-piece type swimsuit, the non-stretch or low-stretch materialmay be arranged in right and left breast portions and an abdominalportion for reinforcement, whereby it is possible to prevent the portionextending from the abdominal portion to the breast portion from bendingand to maintain a flat streamline. In the abdominal portion, thenon-stretch or low-stretch material may be arranged in a single positionor may be arranged separately in a plurality of positions.

The non-stretch or low-stretch material may be provided with a slit,whereby because the slit stretches, advantages can be obtained such asproviding good wearability and wear comfort, ease of breathing, andmaintaining the effect of lifting up the body.

The sportswear described above is suitable as a swimsuit as well asathletic wear for sporting events including ball games, track and fieldevents such as running, jumping and throwing, and the like, andparticularly suitable as a swimsuit for competitive swimming use. Thatis to say, improved performance is expected to be achieved with theabove-described sportswear of the present invention in the sportingevents in which extension movement of the hip joints affects theperformance. In track and field, for example, the sportswear of thepresent invention is effective in short-distance running, jumping andthrowing events in which explosive power is important.

The hip joint extends, such as when kicking the ground in ashort-distance running event, when jumping in a jump event, and whenthrowing an object in a throw event. In any of these situations, thefoot contacts the ground, and the contraction of the gluteus maximus andthe like exerts a large force in the direction of extension of the hipjoint. Accordingly, the sportswear of the present invention thatreinforces tension in the direction of extension of the hip joints canimprove performance.

The present invention is also effective in ball games that requireconstant jumping movement such as basketball and volleyball. In suchsporting events, the same effects can be expected when jumping for thesame reason described above.

The effects also can be expected when landing. That is to say, inlanding movement, the hip joint temporarily bends, at which time themuscles such as the gluteus maximus exert a force in the direction ofextension of the hip joint while being pulled and stretched, and thisaction serves as a factor that absorbs the impact of landing. Thetension in the direction of extension of the hip joints created by theabove-described sportswear of the present invention helps this action,so the burden imposed on the muscles when landing can be reduced.

Furthermore, the sportswear of the present invention is also effectiveas athletic wear for sporting events performed in a crouching posture inwhich the hip joint is bent such as speed skating and skiing. In suchsporting events, it is necessary constantly to maintain a posture inwhich the hip joints are bent. At this time, the muscles such as thegluteus maximus continuously exert muscular force in the direction ofextension of the hip joint. The tension in the direction of extension ofthe hip joints created by the present invention helps such an action aswell, so the burden imposed on the muscles used to maintain the posturecan be reduced.

In speed skating in particular, the same effects as those obtained in ashort-distance running event can be expected when kicking the ice.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings. FIG. 1A is a front view of a pair of halfleggings 10 for swimming according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 1B is a rear view of the half leggings shown in FIG. 1A. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, a stretch base fabric (1) constitutes the primaryportion. A non-stretch or low-stretch material is arranged separately ina region A (2 a, 2 b) that covers at least the back of the waist, aregion B (3 a, 3 b) that includes the rounded portions of both hips, anda region C (4 a, 4 b) that includes the back of the thighs. Thisconfiguration reinforces tension in the direction of extension of thehip joints, exerts a function of lifting up the back of the thighs fromthe buttocks, suppresses the bending of the lower body with respect tothe upper body, and provides a function of smoothing protruding bodyparts while satisfying a function of high mobility.

The stretch base fabric (1) and the regions A to C can be formed byplacing a non-stretch or low-stretch sheet onto the stretch base fabric(1) and fixing it by sewing or by means of an adhesive. Alternatively, amethod may be used in which a non-stretch or low-stretch sheet that isthermoplastic is thermally pressed and fixed on the stretch base fabric(1). Alternatively, a method may be used in which the positions thatcorrespond to the regions A to C of the stretch base fabric (1) are cutout and a non-stretch or low-stretch sheet is placed on the cut-outpositions and sewed on. Alternatively, a method may be used in which anelastomer resin or rubber is impregnated into or attached to the stretchbase fabric (1). Still alternatively, a method may be used in whichembroidery is worked on the positions that correspond to the regions Ato C of the stretch base fabric (1) to reduce the stretchability.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a pair of half leggings 11 for swimmingaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is arear view of the half leggings shown in FIG. 2A. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, astretch base fabric (1) constitutes the primary portion. Anon-stretch orlow-stretch material is arranged separately in a region A (2 a, 2 b)that covers at least the back of the waist, a region B (3 a, 3 b) thatincludes the rounded portions of both hips, a region C″ (5 a, 5 b) thatcontinuously includes the back of the thighs and the inner thighs, and aregion D (7 a, 7 b) that covers the quadriceps femoris muscles. Withthis configuration, it is possible further to enhance the effect oflifting up the legs. In addition, because the hip adductor muscles arecovered, it is possible to suppress the increase of shape resistancecaused by abducting the hip joints. Furthermore, because the curves ofthe thighs are reduced, water resistance can be reduced.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a pair of half leggings 12 for swimmingaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3Bis a rear view of the half leggings shown in FIG. 3A. FIGS. 3A and 3Bare different from FIGS. 1A and 1B in that the non-stretch orlow-stretch material is arranged in a region C″ (6 a, 6 b) thatencircles the thighs, whereas the remaining configuration is the same.In this example as well, the effect of lifting up the legs can befurther enhanced. In addition, because the hip adductor muscles arecovered, it is possible to suppress the increase of shape resistancecaused by abducting the hip joints. Furthermore, the curves of thethighs are reduced, which reduces water resistance.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a pair of half leggings 13 for swimmingaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4Bis a rear view of the half leggings shown in FIG. 4A. FIGS. 4A and 4Bare different from FIGS. 2A and 2B in that the region D (7 a, 7 b) thatcovers the quadriceps femoris muscles is not provided.

Next, the muscles of the lower human body will be described withreference to FIG. 5. A hip includes a gluteus maximus 20, a gluteusmedius 21 located above the gluteus maximus and an upper iliotibialtract 22 located on the side. Reference numeral 23 indicates an upperadductor magnus. Reference numeral 24 indicates a direction ofcontraction of the gluteus maximus 20.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the direction of stretch of each regionwhen the half leggings 10 for swimming shown in FIG. 1 are secured tothe hips of a human body as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, referencenumeral 31 indicates a direction in which a tension applied to thestretch base fabric (1) located between the region A (2 a, 2 b) and theregion B (3 a, 3 b) occurs, 32 indicates a direction of contraction ofthe gluteus maximus, and 30 indicates a direction of the combined forceof a force in the tension direction 31 and a force in the gluteusmaximus contraction direction 32. Reference numeral 33 indicates adirection of extension of the skin located between the region B (3 a, 3b) and the region C (4 a, 4 b). It can be seen that because the dividingportion between the region A (2 a, 2 b) and the region B (3 a, 3 b) hasa truncated V shape (shape of the inverted Japanese letter

), the direction of tension generated by the fabric approximates themuscle contraction direction, as a result of which the buttocks can beeasily lifted up and the rounded portions can be easily pressed down. Italso can be seen that because the dividing portion between the region B(3 a, 3 b) and the region C (4 a, 4 b) has an inverted truncated V shape(shape of the Japanese letter

), the stretch base fabric (1) has a significant stretch allowance.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a direction of stretch of a pair ofhalf leggings for swimming according to a comparative example. In FIG.7, reference numeral 41 indicates a direction in which a tension appliedto the stretch base fabric (1) located between the region A (2 a, 2 b)and the region B (3 a, 3 b) occurs, 44 indicates an extension line ofthat direction, 42 indicates a direction of contraction of the gluteusmaximus, and 40 indicates an extension line of that direction. Referencenumeral 43 indicates a direction of extension of the skin locatedbetween the region B (3 a, 3 b) and the region C (4 a, 4 b). Because thedividing portion between the region A (2 a, 2 b) and the region B (3 a,3 b) has an inverted truncated V shape, the direction of tensiongenerated by the fabric does not approximate the muscle contractiondirection, as a result of which the buttocks cannot be lifted up easilyand the rounded portions cannot be pressed down easily. In addition,because the dividing portion between the region B (3 a, 3 b) and theregion C (4 a, 4 b) form a truncated V shape, the stretch base fabric(1) has a small stretch allowance (the arrows 43).

The muscle fiber running direction of the gluteus maximus, whichprimarily is involved in extension of the hip joints, extends from thecenter in the width direction toward the outer side at an angle of 30 to70 degrees as viewed vertically from a back side of the body (see FIG.5). That is to say, they form an inverted truncated V shape as viewedvertically from the back side. The direction matches the approximatedirection in which the tension generated by contraction of the gluteusmaximus is exerted. In a preferred example of the present invention, thedividing portion between the region A and the region B has a truncated Vshape as viewed vertically from the back side. That is to say, they havean angle approximately orthogonal to the contraction direction of thegluteus maximus. Accordingly, the tension generated by extension of thefabric caused by extension of the hip joint is more likely to occur in adirection extending from the upper end of the region B to the lower endof the region A, which approximates the contraction direction of thegluteus maximus. Consequently, the buttocks can be lifted up more easilyand the rounded portions of the hips can be pressed down more easily(see FIG. 6). If, on the other hand, the dividing portion between theregion A and the region B has a shape that has an angle extendingdownward from the center in the width direction toward the outer side asviewed vertically from the back side of the body, that is, an invertedtruncated V shape, the stretch base fabric will stretch easily in thecontraction direction of the muscles, as a result of which the buttockscannot be lifted up easily and the rounded portions cannot be presseddown easily. (see FIG. 7).

Furthermore, by arranging a stretch base fabric in the dividing portionsbetween the regions A and B and between the regions B and C and otherregions, it is possible to satisfy a function of high mobility. That isto say, if the regions A to C are continuously covered with a strongcompression material, these regions will undergo a very large change intension when stretched by a movement. If, on the other hand, anon-stretch or low-stretch sheet is arranged separately in the regions Ato C, when stretched by a movement, the regions A to C will stretchlittle or not at all and only the stretch base fabric that changeslittle in tension by stretch will stretch, as a result of which mobilityis secured.

The gluteal sulcus is a part whose skin stretches the most when the hipjoint is bent. The direction in which the skin of the gluteal sulcusstretches extends downward from the center in the width direction towardthe outer side at an angle of 15 to 85 degrees as viewed vertically fromthe back side. That is to say, they form an inverted truncated V shapeas viewed vertically from the back side. On the other hand, in thepresent invention, the dividing portion between the region B and theregion C has an inverted truncated V shape as viewed vertically from theback side. That is to say, it has an angle that approximates thedirection of contraction of the gluteal sulcus skin. Accordingly, thestretch allowance of the stretch base fabric becomes large with respectto the extension of the gluteal sulcus skin, providing more mobility(see FIG. 6). If, on the other hand, the dividing portion between theregion B and the region C has an angle that extends upward from thecenter in the width direction toward the outer side as viewed verticallyfrom the back side, that is to say, a truncated V shape, the stretchallowance of the stretch base fabric will be smaller, resulting in poormobility (see FIG. 7).

FIG. 8A is a front view of a one-piece type swimsuit according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a rear view of theswimsuit shown in FIG. 8A. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, a stretch base fabric (1)constitutes the primary portion. A non-stretch or low-stretch materialis arranged separately in a region A (2 a, 2 b) that covers at least theback of the waist, a region B (3 a, 3 b) that includes the roundedportions of both hips, a region C″ (5 a, 5 b) that continuously includesthe back of the thighs and the inner thighs, and a region D (7 a, 7 b)that covers the quadriceps femoris muscles, whereby the effect oflifting up the legs can be enhanced. In addition, because the hipadductor muscles are covered, it is possible to suppress the increase ofshape resistance caused by abducting the hip joints. Furthermore,because the curves of the thighs are reduced, water resistance can bereduced. Also, the non-stretch or low-stretch material is arranged inright and left breast portions 28 a and 28 b and an abdominal portion 29for reinforcement. The non-stretch or low-stretch material of the rightand left breast portions 28 a and 28 b can prevent the pectoralis majorand the breasts from protruding, so water resistance can be reduced.Likewise, the non-stretch or low-stretch material of the abdominalportion 29 increases the internal pressure of the abdominal portion, sothe lumbar portion is not easily bent, maintaining a flat streamline.

FIG. 9A is a front view of a one-piece type swimsuit according toanother embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a rear view ofthe swimsuit shown in FIG. 9A. As shown in the rear view of FIG. 9B,FIG. 9B is the same as FIG. 8B in that the non-stretch or low-stretchmaterial is arranged separately in a region A (2 a, 2 b) that covers atleast the back of the waist, a region B (3 a, 3 b) that includes therounded portions of both hips, a region C″ (5 a, 5 b) that continuouslyincludes the back of the thighs and the inner thighs, and a region D (7a, 7 b) that covers the quadriceps femoris muscles. FIGS. 9A and 9B aredifferent from FIGS. 8A and 8B in that the region A (2 a, 2 b) has alarger area, and that the dividing portion between the region B (3 a, 3b) and the region C″ (5 a, 5 b) has a shape with a recess in the centerthereof. As with the example of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the effect of liftingup the legs can be enhanced further, the increase of shape resistancecaused by abducting the hip joints can be suppressed by covering the hipadductor muscles, and water resistance can be reduced by reducing thecurves of the thighs. This swimsuit can be put on and off by opening anddosing a zip fastener 9. As shown in FIG. 9A, the non-stretch orlow-stretch material is arranged in right and left breast portions 25 aand 25 b and abdominal portions 26 a to 26 c and 27 a to 27 c forreinforcement. The non-stretch or low-stretch material of the right andleft breast portions 25 a and 25 b prevent the pectoralis major and thebreasts from protruding, so water resistance can be reduced. Likewise,the non-stretch or low-stretch material of the abdominal portions 26 ato 26 c and 27 a to 27 c increase the internal pressure of the abdominalportions, so the lumbar portion is not easily bent, maintaining a flatstreamline. Furthermore, a V-shaped or U-shaped non-stretch orlow-stretch material may be arranged in shin portions 8 a and 8 b forreinforcement, whereby it is possible to prevent the knees from bendingwhile swimming and to maintain a flat streamline. The non-stretch orlow-stretch material of the region A (2 a, 2 b), the region C″ (5 a, 5b), the region D (7 a, 7 b), the right and left breast portions 25 a and25 b and the abdominal portions 26 a to 26 c and 27 a to 27 c may beprovided with 1 mm wide slits that appear to be linear, whereby it ispossible to provide a swimsuit that stretches, provides good comfortwhen worn and is easy to put on and off.

In FIG. 9B, the dividing portion between the region B (3 a, 3 b) and theregion C (5 a, 5 b) includes an inverted truncated V-shaped innerportion in the width direction and a truncated V-shaped outer portion inthe width direction as viewed vertically from the back side of the body.As already stated above, because a truncated V-shaped dividing portionimpairs mobility, slits are provided in the region C (5 a, 5 b) tosecure mobility.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described, but itshould be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto.

Example 1

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a region A (2 a, 2 b) that covers at leastthe back of the waist, a region B (3 a, 3 b) that includes the roundedportions of the hips, and a region C (4 a, 4 b) that includes the backof the thighs were separately arranged on the surface of a stretch basefabric 1 by providing a non-stretch or low-stretch sheet by attaching atransfer sheet by thermal pressing so as to reinforce tension in thedirection of extension of the hip joints.

As the stretch base fabric, a fabric woven in a plain weave with aweight per unit area of 110 g/m² was used. For the warp yarn, a yarnmade by covering 44 dtex (decitex) polyurethane (Pu) filaments with 33dtex (decitex) nylon filaments with a filament number of ten was used,and for the weft yarn, a yarn made by covering 44 dtex (decitex)polyurethane (Pu) filaments with 33 dtex (decitex) nylon filaments witha filament number often was used. The number of warp yarns per inch was161, and the number of weft yarns per inch was 204. This woven fabricwas dyed and then treated for water repellency. As the water repellenttreatment, 10 wt % of a fluorine resin-based water repellent agent,namely, DP-10 (trade name) available from Shichifuku Chemical Co., Ltd.and 1 wt % of a urethane-based resin, namely, EVAFANOL AP12 availablefrom Nicca Chemical Co., Ltd. as a binder resin were collected anddispersed in 10 liters of water to obtain a water repellent treatmentsolution. The obtained water repellent treatment solution was applied inan amount of 7.2 wt % to the stretch fabric through immersion, and thefabric was sewn into a pair of half leggings.

The transfer sheet used to form the non-stretch or low-stretch materialportions by thermal pressing was Polytough 3 (product name) availablefrom Japan Polymark Co., Ltd. The transfer sheet was composed primarilyof urethane, and had a thickness of 100 μm and a weight per unit area of121 g/m².

Comparative Example 1

A swimsuit was produced using only the stretch base fabric used inExample 1.

Example 2

A pair of half leggings was produced in the same manner as in Example 1except that the half leggings were configured as shown in FIGS. 2A and2B.

Five male competitive swimmers were instructed to wear the half leggingsof Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1 and 2, and to respond to theitems shown in Tables 1 to 3. Each item was rated on a scale of 1 to 5,with 5 being strongly agreed, 4 being mostly agreed, 3 being somewhatagreed, 2 being somewhat disagreed, and 1 being disagreed.

TABLE 1 Subject Subject Subject Subject Subject Comparative Example 1 AB C D E When worn: the buttocks are pressed down 2 1 2 1 2 When worn:the legs are pulled backward 2 2 1 1 1 During swimming: the lower bodycan float 2 1 1 2 1 During swimming: the legs can be moved easily 5 4 45 4 Total 11 8 8 9 8 Average 2.75 2 2 2.25 2

TABLE 2 Subject Subject Subject Subject Subject Example 1 A B C D E Whenworn: the buttocks are pressed down 4 5 4 3 4 When worn: the legs arepulled backward 5 4 3 3 4 During swimming: the lower body can float 5 44 4 5 During swimming: the legs can be moved easily 4 4 4 5 4 Total 1817 15 15 17 Average 4.5 4.25 3.75 3.75 4.25

TABLE 3 Subject Subject Subject Subject Subject Example 2 A B C D E Whenworn: the buttocks are pressed down 5 5 4 3 4 When worn: the legs arepulled backward 5 4 4 4 5 During swimming: the lower body can float 5 54 4 5 During swimming: the legs can be moved easily 4 4 4 5 4 Total 1918 16 16 18 Average 4.75 4.5 4 4 4.5

As can be dearly seen from the results of Tables 1 to 3, in ComparativeExample 1, all subjects gave low ratings to all items except for theitem “During swimming: the legs can be moved easily”, with the averagescore of 2 to 2.75. On the other hand, in Examples 1 and 2, all subjectsgave ratings of 3 or higher, with the average score of 3.75 or higher.When Examples 1 and 2 were compared, although there was not a largedifference between them, slightly better results were obtained inExample 2 with the average score of 4 to 4.75 whereas the average scoresof Example 1 were 3.75 to 4.75.

From the above results, it was found that the region A, the region B andthe region C or the region C″ of Examples 1 and 2 can reduce the curvesof the hips and thighs, suppressing the bending of the lower body withrespect to the upper body. It was also found that the swimsuits ofExamples 1 and 2 have a small shape resistance and can provide highperformance. Furthermore, all subjects felt that the back of the thighswas lifted up or the lower body floated when they wore the swimsuits ofExamples 1 and 2, and judged the swimsuits of Examples 1 and 2 as havinggood wear comfort and high mobility.

Comparative Example 2

A one-piece type swimsuit was produced using only the stretch basefabric used in Example 1. As in Examples 1 to 2, five female competitiveswimmers were instructed to wear the swimsuit and to respond to theitems shown in Table 4. Each item was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5being strongly agreed, 4 being mostly agreed, 3 being somewhat agreed, 2being somewhat disagreed, and 1 being disagreed.

TABLE 4 Subject Subject Subject Subject Subject Comparative Example 2 FG H I J When worn: the buttocks are pressed down 2 3 2 1 1 When worn:the legs are pulled backward 1 2 2 2 1 During swimming: the lower bodycan float 1 2 2 2 1 During swimming: the legs can be moved easily 4 4 54 5 Total 8 11 11 9 8 Average 2 2.75 2.75 2.25 2

Example 3

A one-piece type swimsuit was produced in the same manner as in Example1 except that the swimsuit was configured as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.As in Examples 1 to 2, five female competitive swimmers were instructedto wear the swimsuit and to respond to the items shown in Table 5. Eachitem was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being strongly agreed, 4being mostly agreed, 3 being somewhat agreed, 2 being somewhatdisagreed, and 1 being disagreed.

TABLE 5 Subject Subject Subject Subject Subject Example 3 F G H I J Whenworn: the buttocks are pressed down 4 5 4 4 4 When worn: the legs arepulled backward 4 5 5 5 4 During swimming: the lower body can float 4 55 5 5 During swimming: the legs can be moved easily 5 3 5 4 5 Total 1718 19 18 18 Average 4.25 4.5 4.75 4.5 4.5

As can be seen dearly from the results of Tables 4 and 5, in ComparativeExample 2, all subjects gave low ratings to all items except for theitem “During swimming: the legs can be moved easily”, with the averagescore of 2 to 2.75. On the other hand, in Example 3, all subjects gaveratings of 3 or higher, with the average score of 4.25 or higher.

From the above results, the swimsuit of Example 3 received higherevaluation ratings and better records were achieved, as compared tothose of Examples 1 and 2. With respect to the mobility of the legs,almost the same answers as those of Comparative Example 2 were obtainedin Example 3, from which it was found that the slits provided in theregion C facilitate the mobility of the legs.

Other than swimsuits, the sportswear of the present invention is alsouseful as athletic wear for sporting events including ball games such asbasket ball and volley ball, and track and field events such as running,jumping and throwing, and also as athletic wear for sporting eventscarried out in a crouching posture in which the hip joint is bent, suchas speed skating and skiing.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosedin this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not limiting. The scope of the invention is indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. Sportswear that is worn with a tight fit to the surface of a wearerand that comprises a stretch base fabric and partially a non-stretch orlow-stretch material, wherein the non-stretch or low-stretch material isseparately arranged in a region A that covers at least the back of thewaist, a region B that includes rounded portions of the hips, and aregion C that includes the back of the thighs, and the non-stretch orlow-stretch material reinforces tension in a direction of extension ofthe hip joints.
 2. The sportswear according to claim 1, wherein thenon-stretch or low-stretch region C is a region C″ that continuouslyincludes the inner thighs.
 3. The sportswear according to claim 1,wherein the non-stretch or low-stretch region C is a region C″ thatencircles the thighs.
 4. The sportswear according to claim 1, wherein aregion D that covers the quadriceps femoris muscles further isseparately arranged as a non-stretch or low-stretch region.
 5. Thesportswear according to claim 1, wherein a dividing portion between theregion A and the region B has a truncated V shape as viewed verticallyfrom a back side.
 6. The sportswear according to claim 1, wherein adividing portion between the region B and the region C, the region C″ orthe region C″ has an inverted truncated V shape or a shape with a recessin the center thereof as viewed vertically from a back side.
 7. Thesportswear according to claim 1, wherein the non-stretch or low-stretchmaterial is formed of a woven fabric or knitted fabric.
 8. Thesportswear according to claim 1, wherein the non-stretch or low-stretchmaterial is formed of a sheet obtained by impregnating a woven fabric orknitted fabric with an elastomer resin or rubber, or a sheet obtained byattaching an elastomer resin or rubber onto a woven fabric or knittedfabric.
 9. The sportswear according to claim 1, wherein the non-stretchor low-stretch material is formed by being sewn or embroidered into thestretch base fabric.
 10. The sportswear according to claim 1, whereinthe non-stretch or low-stretch material has an elongation factor under aload of 4.9 N (500 gf) measured in accordance with Japanese IndustrialStandards (JIS) 1096 of 0% or more and less than 10% in a longitudinaldirection of a body.
 11. The sportswear according to claim 1, whereinthe stretch base fabric is a one-way or two-way woven or knitted fabricthat is formed of a yarn that includes an elastic yarn.
 12. Thesportswear according to claim 1, wherein the stretch base fabric is afabric that has an elongation factor under a load of 4.9 N (500 gf)measured in accordance with JIS 1096 of 10% or more in a longitudinaldirection of a body.
 13. The sportswear according to claim 1, wherein aV-shaped or U-shaped non-stretch or low-stretch material is provided ina shin portion for reinforcement.
 14. The sportswear according to claim1, wherein the sportswear is a leggings type swimsuit or a one-piecetype swimsuit.
 15. The sportswear according to claim 14, wherein in theone-piece type swimsuit, the non-stretch or low-stretch material isarranged in right and left breast portions and an abdominal portion forreinforcement.
 16. The sportswear according to claim 1, wherein thenon-stretch or low-stretch material is provided with a slit.